Sabah Golf Country Club

Designed by Robert Muir Graves it has been acknowledged as one of the most testing layouts in South East Asia. In 2003 the course was remodelled by Nelson & Haworth after the course was in decline for a number of years. The major changes undertaken were the new placement of the ninth green, from its hillside location to a more dramatic lakeside setting. Other tasks included drainage improvement, the flattening of some of the heavily contoured fairways and the clearing of some non-native trees that were deemed to detract from the natural splendour of the course.

The course is generally in good condition and visitors are more than welcome to play here, even though the membership base is large at around 2,500 members.

It is a course you really should try if you are in the region with rolling, undulating fairways that are interlaced with bunker and large water hazards that create strong features to be contended with.

The second hole is a 525-yard par five, from the back tees and offers the longer hitters the chance to get home in two, if they are brave enough to keep the ball tight to the water than runs the length of the hole on the left. The second shot must be played to the green avoiding overhanging branches and the bunker that make the second that little bit trickier.

The par three 5^th is a great target par three, measuring 161 yards the hole calls for the correct club to be selected. Anything short will find one of the four bunkers that sweep around the front of the green, anything long will find the marshland at the bottom of a steep slope.

The newly remodelled ninth provides a wonderful dilema, take driver and leave just a chip to this green that sticks out into the lake. Or lay back with a long iron to leave a straightforward pitch shot into the green. Shot placement from the tee is the key to getting a good score on this hole as the fairway is undulating.

The 17^th is another cracking par three to a green that is surrounded by water, front, right and rear and with a bunker protecting the left. At 165 yards it is not long but add in the wind which can swirl and change the entire perspective of the golfer you have a fantastic par three.